The government is considering building a new international airport to replace the ageing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), following the collapse of last year’s upgrade deal with India’s Adani Group.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir revealed the plan during the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Symposium in Nairobi on Monday, saying it is time for Kenya to position itself as a leading aviation hub.
“You do appreciate that we do not have an airport; our airport was burnt at some time around 2013/2014. Our attempts to build a new airport have met challenges due to the democratic space we are in,” Chirchir said.
He added, “We are in the process of building a new one so that we really become an anchor state that attracts people, so that you have that good feeling of coming in through the airport.”
Chirchir confirmed that the government will tap into Public-Private Partnerships to push forward aviation infrastructure projects despite past setbacks. The most notable was President William Ruto’s November directive to end negotiations with Adani Group over JKIA’s upgrade, citing credible corruption concerns.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who also spoke at the event, stressed that the government is committed to completing new infrastructure projects within set timelines, targeting full implementation before 2027.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has already called for public input on its future development plans for both Wilson Airport and JKIA. In a July 20 notice, KAA said it would conduct a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) to evaluate potential environmental and social impacts of the planned upgrades.
Recent announcements also indicate that JKIA will see short-term improvements to its runways, airside access roads, and baggage handling systems.
Potential financiers for the long-term redevelopment of JKIA include the European Investment Bank, the German Development Bank, the French Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and the China Exim Bank. The government has approached these institutions and is awaiting responses on possible funding options using the airport’s balance sheet.
, following the collapse of last year’s upgrade deal with India’s Adani Group.){kind=link}